GMOs or genetically modified organisms are defined as organisms whose genetic characteristics are changed through genetic manipulation or modification.

Genetic modification is a technology used to alter genetic material of living cells or organisms in order to make them capable of producing new substances or perform new functions.

Genetic modification has provided significant benefits to humankind. GM foods include foods with improved nutritional value, higher crop yields, insect resistance which eliminates the need for pesticides, disease resistance, better food quality, foods that keep for longer and improving plant adaptability to harsh growing conditions, such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes. Genetic modification is also expected to address the problem of global malnutrition as our world population increases.

They are produced through gene transfers, for example by transferring genes of desirable traits to agricultural crops.

Foods produced using genetic modification can be as safe as food from non GMOs and all other food products. Foods produced from GMOs must pass stringent safety guidelines and comply with the current food safety standard.

No. To date, there is no published scientific evidence of any ill effects due to the consumption of GM foods.

At the moment, there are no consequences as there is no published scientific evidence of any ill effects due to the consumption of GM foods.

 

Genetically modified soybean and corn, which have been approved in many countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and member countries of the European Union, are very likely incorporated into various processed foods. Since we import food from these countries, it is possible that such foods are sold in Brunei Darussalam. However, these foods are safe for consumption because they are regulated like any other foods in meeting the same rigorous safety standards.

Please, see Singapore’s FAQs No. 1 on GMFs on page 13.

Yes, it will help global food production. Agriculture is forecasted to feed 8000 million human population by 2020, of whom 6700 million will be in the developing countries. In Asia and Africa, it is estimated that 40% of total productivity is lost to pests and pathogens. Biotechnology will offer food security by enhancing agricultural activity through improvement of agriculture yield and preventing losses of crops to pests and pathogens.

Yes and No. Yes for the next 10 to 20 years. Although the rate of population growth is steadily decreasing, the increase in absolute numbers of people to be fed may be such that carrying capacity of agricultural lands could soon be reached given the current technology. We have to seek a way to secure food production, and biotechnology offers the only alternative to date. No one can guarantee that GMOs (biotechnology) will never cause unforeseen problem. That is why GMOs (biotechnology) requires regulation and scrutinization by a comprehensive systems of checks and balances.

The most important risk associated with GMOs is on the safety issue, that is, how safe are they when consumed by human population and when they are released into the environment. In the United States, all food crops with engineered genes are reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration for human food and animal feed safety and by the Department of Agriculture for safety to agriculture and the environment.

No.

Subject to meeting ethical and social considerations, it may be possible to use some GMOs and products derived from GMOs in the future.

In 1999, the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources has put forward a proposal on the establishment of a National Authority on Genetic Modification which will take care of the imports and regulations pertaining to GMOs. The proposal is still under consideration.

The regulations may be modeled after existing international regulations with appropriate modifications or alterations based on the ethical and religious requirement of the country.

 

a) Details of the source and types of GMOs and products derived from GMOs should be defined.

b) All possible risks and benefits associated with these products should be made available to the consumers. Public response about the quality and safety of the products originating from GMOs should be sought.

c) Consent should be obtained from the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Health and Legal Department regarding safety and marketing of GMOs and products derived from GMOs.

d) The products derived from GMOs should be labeled giving details of risks and benefits associated with the products. Also, food derived from genetic modifications should be labeled accordingly if it contains a gene derived from humans or from animals subject to religious dietary restrictions or cause any special ethical concerns.

e) Only approved GMOs and products derived from GMOs should be allowed to enter the country.

f) Legislation should be in place to ensure that GMOs are restricted for use for particular purposes only.

g) Legislations should cover both contained use (where organisms are used in certain specific areas only), the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment and the marketing of products derived from GMOs. These regulations should be designed to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

The religious authority in Brunei Darussalam has taken interest in GMOs, on the issue of “halal and haram” if they are consumed by Muslims.